Colorado Rapids will aim to make it six wins from their last seven matches when they welcome New York Red Bulls to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, jet out to Commerce City this weekend in search of a first MLS victory in three outings off the back of consecutive stalemates.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids were firing on all cylinders as they ran out emphatic 4-1 winners against St. Louis City in Monday’s meeting between the teams.
Chris Armas‘s men got their noses in front early on through Kevin Cabral but were quickly pegged back by John Klein after which strikes from Cole Bassett, Jonathan Lewis and Darren Yapi decided the game.
As a result, the Pids remain fourth in the Western Conference of the MLS table, six points adrift of division leaders Los Angeles FC.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are looking to avoid a third straight defeat in this fixture having lost both of the most recent two editions.
Currently on a run of four consecutive home wins by a combined score of 12-3, Saturday’s hosts have turned on the style in front of their fans of late and will take some stopping here.
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New York Red Bulls had to make do with a point once again in a goalless share of the spoils against Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Sunday.
Sandro Schwarz‘s men offered significant attacking threat over the course of the 90 minutes but were unable to find the all-important winner.
With 36 points amassed from 22 league outings so far, the Bulls sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, a whopping 10 points clear of the teams outside the automatic playoff places.
Having picked up just one win from seven away matches leading up to Saturday’s contest, the visitors have endured a torrid time on the road recently and now seek to turn things around.
Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:
New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer form:
Team News
Colorado Rapids’ Daniel Chacon misses out through a long-term knee injury, while Jackson Travis continues to nurse a stress fracture.
Kevin Cabral wasted no time in announcing his return to action from a suspension courtesy of a lovely opener last time out, which should see him retain his starting berth.
American duo Roald Mitchell and Serge Ngoma are still out of action with knee injuries and will not play any part for New York Red Bulls in this one.
The away side will also be without the services of Peter Stroud and Emil Forsberg, who are ruled out through ankle and foot injuries respectively.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Edwards, Maxso, Vines; Ronan, Larraz; Fernandez, Bassett, Cabral; Navarro
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Meara; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Eile, Tolkin; Gjengaar, Donkor, Carmona, Harper; Manoel, Vanzeir
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Given the attacking firepower on display here, it is hard to see either of the teams coming away with a clean sheet. That said, we are tipping the hosts to narrowly edge out their visitors in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
